Bandicoot Tipoki breaks Irish hearts
The Irish had been expected to take the title with three of the six finalists representing these shores, but luck deserted our team on the night. As expected Toomaline Jack was sent to traps a hot favourite and he looked a likely winner down the back straight when showing big pace to challenge the early leader Lyreen Mover.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be, as Bandicoot Tipoki came storming through late to deny his rivals.
Lyreen Mover shot to the front after a fast start from trap two, but Tooomaline jack was soon in chase, while Oran Classic emerged as a threat in third. Entering the back straight Toomlaine Jack started to close on the leader and it looked as though an Irish victory was on the cards.
Passing halfway Toomaline Jack looked a certain winner as he drove upsides the early leader. But the definitive moment came as they neared the third turn. As Toomaline Jack looked certain to move to the front, the pair clashed, allowing their rivals to close in behind.
Turning for home Toomaline Jack still looked a likely winner, but he just couldn’t get by the leader and their rivals were now queuing up behind. Oran Classic was first to make his challenge, but his decision to come wide perhaps cost him the victory.
Krug Ninety Five was now in full flight for Fraser Black, but first run went to Bandicoot Tipoki. Powering up the inside, the son of Crash hit the front in the final strides to win an incredible contest by a half length in 28.57. There was a line of four greyhounds battling it out for second spot with Lyreen Mover just edging out the three Irish runners, Krug Ninety Five, Oran Classic and Toomaline Jack by three short heads. It had been a truly memorable contest, but not one to remember for the Irish.
At Shelbourne Park the opening round of the Sporting Press Irish Oaks came to a conclusion and there were some superb performances. Top billing went to Tooquicktoocatch who set the fastest time of the round in Heat 13. The Owen McKenna trained starlet established herself as a leading contender for the competition when posting a wonderful 28.52.
Just 15 minutes later Clearview Kelly went close to equalling her time as she finished with a flourish to post a career best 28.53 in Heat 14. Others to impress included Olympic Bee Puppy Oaks winner Dalcash Dvinsky who led from the start to win Heat 15 in 28.61, while the progressive Triangle Beyonce also did little wrong when leading throughout to win Heat 11 in 28.63.
Other trap-to-line winners included Knockane Jade in 28.78, Killacolla Glory in 28.81 and Ballymac Lefanta in 28.72, while Doodle Doo got up late to win Heat 9 in 28.97.
On Friday Yes Boss justified favouritism in the final of the Peggy Kelly’s Islandbridge Sprint at Harolds Cross. The in-form sprinter was simply brilliant as he posted 17.35 for the second week running.
